<p>My teacher and I were discussing my required essay. Afterward, I was asking her about my personal statement essay - and I told her it was optional. The application (for College of Charleston in Charleston, SC) requires just ONE essay and NO recommendations. But, Im doing the one required essay and giving the college two recommendations from my best teachers (English & Science). Those recommendations are optional as is a personal statement essay (of 500 words) Ive been considering axing the optional essay, because a) what others say about me (my teachers) has much more impact upon admissions than what I say about myself, and b) Id rather not chance my essay to be taken as self pity and c) what can I say about myself that will sway me to be accepted if two teacher recommendations and another essay hasnt all ready done so? My English teacher also agreed that for now, my recommendations would be more influential than another essay and told me to focus primarily on the one required essay for that is what I will be compared to directly with other applicants.</p>
<p>What do you think?</p>
<p>Basically... is not doing the optional personal statement essay going to hinder my application when I'll be submitting two also optional teacher recommendations? I'll also be applying early app....</p>
<p>(I know my college of choice isn't thought of as quite "prestigious" here, but I just need other's thoughts.)</p>